scholarly journals A dog’s dinner: an interesting case presenting as gastroenteritis

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e226131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Elliott ◽  
John-Patrick Byars ◽  
Barbara Weinhardt ◽  
Kamaljit Khalsa

We report a case of a 60-year-old Caucasian man with a history of alcohol excess who presented to the emergency department with a 72-hour history of abdominal pain, profuse diarrhoea and vomiting. He was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) 12 hours later in extremis with severe sepsis and multiorgan failure. Collateral history from the patient on admission to ICU identified that he had been bitten by a dog 3 days prior to his symptom onset. Provisional microscopy and Gram staining from peripheral blood cultures taken on admission revealed the presence of long, thin Gram-negative bacilli in the anaerobic bottle only. This was later identified asCapnocytophaga canimorsus. The patient survived the septic episode and was discharged to level 2 care 9 days later under the care of the renal physicians for ongoing renal dialysis.

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e226083
Author(s):  
Katherine Dutton ◽  
Sinisa Savic ◽  
Roger Owen ◽  
Edward Vital

We report an interesting case of hepatitis C virus-negative type II cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (CV) in a patient with a background history of systemic lupus erythematosus. The type II CV became less responsive to traditional treatments over time and culminated in an intensive care unit admission with critical multiorgan failure. A detailed flow cytometric evaluation of the bone marrow proved to be helpful in treatment. It demonstrated that bortezomib was a viable alternative treatment option for the type II CV. The patient received bortezomib and has made a full and durable recovery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. e242432
Author(s):  
Fiona O'Riordan ◽  
Aoife Ronayne ◽  
Arthur Jackson

We describe the case of an immunocompetent 75-year-old man with Capnocytophaga canimorsus bacteraemia and meningitis. C. canimorsus is commonly found in the oral flora of dogs with human infection typically occurring following a bite. Unusually, while our patient was a dog owner, there was no history of bite nor scratch mark. Admission blood cultures flagged positive for Gram-negative bacilli, but prolonged molecular analysis was required before C. canimorsus was isolated in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. There is a high mortality rate in invasive infection, and in our patient’s case, antibiotic therapy was commenced prior to laboratory confirmation with our patient making a complete recovery. This case highlights the importance of including C. canimorsus in the differential diagnosis of unwell patients who keep dogs, even without a bite. This case occurred amid heightened awareness of COVID-19, which may represent predisposition for zoonoses during social isolation and increased human–pet contact.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charity Wiafe Akenten ◽  
Kennedy Gyau Boahen ◽  
Kwadwo Sarfo Marfo ◽  
Nimako Sarpong ◽  
Denise Dekker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The increasing incidence of multi-antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, coupled with the risk of co-infections in malaria-endemic regions, complicates accurate diagnosis and prolongs hospitalization, thereby increasing the total cost of illness. Further, there are challenges in making the correct choice of antibiotic treatment and duration, precipitated by a lack of access to microbial culture facilities in many hospitals in Ghana. The aim of this case report is to highlight the need for blood cultures or alternative rapid tests to be performed routinely in malaria patients, to diagnose co-infections with bacteria, especially when symptoms persist after antimalarial treatment. Case presentation A 6-month old black female child presented to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital with fever, diarrhea, and a 3-day history of cough. A rapid diagnostic test for malaria and Malaria microscopy was positive for P. falciparum with a parasitemia of 224 parasites/μl. The patient was treated with Intravenous Artesunate, parental antibiotics (cefuroxime and gentamicin) and oral dispersible zinc tablets in addition to intravenous fluids. Blood culture yielded Acinetobacter baumanii, which was resistant to all of the third-generation antibiotics included in the susceptibility test conducted, but sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. After augmenting treatment with intravenous ciprofloxacin, all symptoms resolved. Conclusion Even though this study cannot confirm whether the bacterial infection was nosocomial or otherwise, the case highlights the necessity to test malaria patients for possible co-infections, especially when fever persists after parasites have been cleared from the bloodstream. Bacterial blood cultures and antimicrobial susceptibility testing should be routinely performed to guide treatment options for febril illnesses in Ghana in order to reduce inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and limit the development of antimicrobial resistance.


Synthese ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
László Kocsis ◽  
Adam Tamas Tuboly

AbstractOur main goal in this paper is to present and scrutinize Reichenbach’s own naturalism in our contemporary context, with special attention to competing versions of the concept. By exploring the idea of Reichenbach’s naturalism, we will argue that he defended a liberating, therapeutic form of naturalism, meaning that he took scientific philosophy (or philosophy of nature, Naturphilosophie) to be a possible cure for bad old habits and traditional ways of philosophy. For Reichenbach, naturalistic scientific philosophy was a well-established form of liberation. We do not intend to suggest that Reichenbach acted as an inventor of naturalism; nonetheless, invoking the term and the idea of ‘naturalism’ is more than a simple rhetorical strategy for rehabilitating Reichenbach as a forerunner of this field. We think that his ideas can make a valuable contribution to contemporary debates, and that he presents an interesting case among the other scientifically oriented proponents of his time. After presenting a short reconstruction of the meaning of naturalism—or, more appropriately, naturalisms—in order to be able to correctly situate Reichenbach within his own as well as a systematic context, we discuss Reichenbach’s naturalism against the background of his scientific philosophy, his views on the relation of common-sense knowledge to science, and his efforts at popularization. To delve deeper into this topic, we present a case study to show how Reichenbach argued that in both scientific and philosophical discussions (assuming their naturalistic continuity), it is necessary to move from the request and value of truth to probability. And, finally, we argue that the liberation of knowledge and nature was a socio-political program for Reichenbach, who talked about his own scientific philosophy as “a crusade.” By emphasizing this aspect of Reichenbach’s naturalism, we may be in a better position to situate him in the history of analytic philosophy in general, and in the yet-to-be-written narrative of the naturalistic movement in particular.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1170
Author(s):  
Gabriel Haddad ◽  
Sara Bellali ◽  
Tatsuki Takakura ◽  
Anthony Fontanini ◽  
Yusuke Ominami ◽  
...  

Blood culture is currently the most commonly used method for diagnosing sepsis and bloodstream infections. However, the long turn-around-time to achieve microbe identification remains a major concern for clinical microbiology laboratories. Gram staining for preliminary identification remains the gold standard. We developed a new rapid strategy using a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) and compared its performance with Gram staining for the detection of micro-organisms and preliminary identification directly from blood cultures. We first optimised the sample preparation for twelve samples simultaneously, saving time on imaging. In this work, SEM proved its ability to identify bacteria and yeasts in morphotypes up to the genus level in some cases. We blindly tested 1075 blood cultures and compared our results to the Gram staining preliminary identification, with MALDI-TOF/MS as a reference. This method presents major advantages such as a fast microbe identification, within an hour of the blood culture being detected positive, low preparation costs, and data traceability. This SEM identification strategy can be developed into an automated assay from the sample preparation, micrograph acquisition, and identification process. This strategy could revolutionise urgent microbiological diagnosis of infectious diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (05) ◽  
pp. 755-758
Author(s):  
Sahar Saeed ◽  
Abeera Butt ◽  
Syed Asghar Naqi ◽  
Muhammad Mohsin Ali

Paraduodenal fossa hernias (PDFHs) represent 53% of all congenital internal hernias and 0.2-0.9% of all small bowel obstructions. Most of these hernias are diagnosed incidentally on laparotomy, and carry up to 50% lifetime risk of development of small bowel obstruction. We present our experience in diagnosing and treating a case of a massive left paraduodenal fossa hernia in a 17 year male, containing over 30% of the small bowel (jejunum and ileum), presenting with a history of recurrent incomplete small bowel obstruction. Plain abdominal radiography showed distended loops of jejunum and few air fluid levels. After laparotomy and identification of hernia, small gut was reduced and examined, which was found to be structurally and functionally intact with normal vascularity. The defect was closed with continuous absorbable suture (Vicryl 2-0) sparing the inferior mesenteric vessels. Patient’s post-operative recovery remained uneventful and he was discharged on 4th post-operative day.


2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham J Fent ◽  
Hazlyna Kamaruddin ◽  
Pankaj Garg ◽  
Ahmed Iqbal ◽  
Nicholas F Kelland ◽  
...  

A diagnosis of myocardial infarction is made using a combination of clinical presentation, electrocardiogram and cardiac biomarkers. However, myocardial infarction can be caused by factors other than coronary artery plaque rupture and thrombosis. We describe an interesting case presenting with hypertensive emergency and type 2 myocardial infarction resulting from Pheochromocytoma associated with Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection from a dog bite. We also review current literature on the management of hypertensive emergency and Pheochromocytoma.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 282-284
Author(s):  
Ankit Gulati ◽  
Surinder K Singhal ◽  
Shashikant A Pol ◽  
Nitin Gupta

Introduction This is a very interesting case of retained homicidal foreign body in the nose in contrast to most of the foreign bodies which are accidental. Case Report A 27 year old male presented to ENT emergency with alleged history of assault over face with sharp object following which patient developed nasal bleed. On examination vertical laceration of approximately 8 cm in length was present along left naso-orbital groove extending superiorly from medial canthus of left eye and inferiorly to nasal alar cartilage. On anterior rhinoscopy a metallic foreign body was seen in both nasal cavities, which appeared to be crossing from left to right side piercing the nasal septum. Foreign body was removed via open approach. Discussion Penetrating maxillofacial injury with foreign body impaction are less common. High index of suspicion is required in diagnosing these cases. Radiological intervention should be done to get idea of exact location and extent of foreign body. Lateral rhinotomy is a useful approach in removing these foreign bodies.


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